How do you feel about the completion of Riverstone Trails in Sunnyvale?

Douglas Davis, Mesquite: It’s about time. Sunnyvale may have finally complied with the letter of the law but definitely not the spirit as these units are about as far away from the majority of housing in Sunnyvale as you can get, between Dal-Tile and a trucking company bordered by a commercial zone.

Dale Word, Mesquite: It’s sad that some developer gets to make a bunch of money by destroying a community. There is nothing good that will ever come from this. There was no reason for this other than greed. There is plenty of low-income housing less than a mile away, and they use the same schools and they would be closer to all the stores where they might find work. Sunnyvale doesn’t have anything to offer except large lots for each house. Why do the rights of the few always out weigh the rights of the many?

Donald Taylor, Mesquite: Each community in our great country has established an image, a standard, a foundation. If these are not evident, people will not find an identity. The schools became the high mark in many communities and remain a clear standard. In the last fifty years, communities have been cornered and met with demands by the federal government. What has been required by “big brother” has forced the creation of entitlement and a growing welfare foundation. Sunnyvale is a community that has striven for its own autonomy — its own identity — serving its community and not serving those seeking the “easy way’ and handouts. It should be a community commended for striving to maintain a level of excellence. Finally, Riverstone Trails is built with the quality and positive image representative of Sunnyvale’s excellence.

Barbara Broughton, Garland: My sympathies lie with the people of Sunnyvale who want to keep their city free of blighted areas and crime. Low-income housing is traditionally accompanied by ill-kept housing units. Occupants either don’t know how to maintain the property they are living in or they expect someone else to pick up the bill. Section 8 housing is in demand, and there is a shortage of this type of housing. If Sunnyvale has a strong code enforcement office, perhaps the integrity of these new townhome units will be preserved. A majority of our suburban cities have low-income housing, and the load must be shared by all.

Larry Carpenter, Garland: “There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.” Thus are the words of French politician and philosopher Charles de Montesquieu. As with so many others, Montesquieu shouted against the threat of tyranny some 300 years ago. That fear of tyranny caused the Continental Army to spill its blood and wage war against tyranny and give birth to this United States. The residents of Sunnyvale have voted, and they have the blood-bought privilege of living their life in freedom, peace and quiet without the intrusion of the federal court system. Today, we live in a state of fear of this government that wants to reshape America. C. S. Lewis spoke so well when he wrote, “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.” The courts have accommodated a small minority but have removed the rights of the majority. Give the community of Sunnyvale its right to choose its own destiny.

Wayne Williams, Garland: There is always a need for low-income housing. Sunnyvale’s Riverstone Trails townhome project will meet this need. Seventy of the 96 townhomes are set aside specifically for vouchers. Low-income families have the same right as the wealthy to have a home that they can be proud of, and they can be proud to be residents of Sunnyvale.

Bob McIver, Garland: I question forcing a city to have low-income housing. A few weeks ago, the big conference about cities extolled the virtues of living in multifamily dwellings in the city rather than single-family homes in the suburbs. I thought suburbs were evil, but now they are moving low-income families to the suburbs. Maybe the city of Dallas wants to bring the young professionals to the city and send all the poor people to the suburbs. Is there a double standard?

Cynthia Stock, Garland: Who is responsible for maintenance? As an ex-owner of rental properties, I would revisit this question in one year. I rented to one family who consistently maintained the house and yard and another that didn’t let me know about leaks that needed to be fixed or basic home maintenance, all of which I expected and was willing to do. Inherent in the right to access to these homes is the responsibility for good stewardship of them. Let’s see what happens next.

Sara James, Garland: I have no problem with providing low-income homes except for the fact that many times, the homes are not kept up, and by that, I mean they become run-down and trashy looking. If we are helping to provide people with low-incomes places to live, they should be required to maintain them.

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